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A Tour of Germany’s Autumn and Winter Wonderland

Traveling in winter shouldn’t be limited to ski trips or to avoiding the cold and snow altogether. In Germany, there are plenty of activities and attractions to keep a visitor’s body and soul warm.

Yuletide in Germany means Christmas markets and there are many to choose from: there’s the oldest, in Dresden, where you can enjoy its famous Stollen bread; the biggest, in Stuttgart, covering five squares and about 300 beautifully decorated stalls; and the most famous, in Nuremberg, where only handcrafted goods are the allowed. Visit one or a few as you go on your Germany tour package.

The Big Three

A Germany tour means a visit to Germany’s three biggest cities. Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt showcase Germany’s most diverse and dynamic facets.

BERLIN

A combination of pluck and polish, Berlin’s rich history is written on the city itself. It has always been at the center of German culture and politics, and that is evident in its architecture. Iconic landmarks ranging from the 16th to the 20th century are daily reminders of Berlin’s importance.

What could top the Brandenburg Gate as Berlin’s, if not Germany’s, defining monument? It has stood witness to Germany’s highest and lowest points but is now known as a symbol peace and unity after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Go to the Gendarmenmarkt to see some of Berlin’s other attractions: the very Baroque Berlin Cathedral, the French Cathedral, and the Konzerthaus. It’s also fantastic in winter when Berlin’s Christmas market goes all out, entertainment by way of acrobats, jugglers, and other street performers are included.

MUNICH

Munich makes it to the big three cities because, well, it is Germany’s third largest city. This capital of Bavaria has historic and picturesque attractions in spades. The central square, Marienplatz, faces the city’s Old and New Town Halls. There are palaces, opera houses, and of course, the must-see Munich Residenz—the grandest palace-museum in Munich.

The iconic red roof of the Fraukenkirche might be blanketed by snow in winter but German music is sure to keep you warm all through December when the Bavarian choirs hold concerts and fill church services with carols and hymns.

But the real treat that Munich has to offer is the amazing Germany Castle tours andGermany tours from Munich will most certainly include trips to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. These Bavarian castle tours are the most sought-after in the region. Neuschwanstein Castle is often thought of as the fairytale castle. Everything about the it has a fairytale-like quality from its architecture, its inspiration, and its setting—high up in the Bavarian Alps and overlooking a beautiful valley. Another of King Ludwig II’s fancies is the Linderhof Palace. While smaller, it is even more fantastic and flamboyant than Neuschwanstein with its artificial grotto and mini lake.

FRANKFURT

The city may strike visitors as all business, being the hub of commerce and the headquarters of many European financial institutions can do that, but it does have a soul.

The nighttime view of the Romerberg, the city’s old town square with its medieval half-timbered buildings, is a treat any time of the year but it takes on that magical quality come wintertime. Frankfurt is known for its apple cider or apple wine. Enjoy this fine beverage in one of the delightful cider taverns in Frankfurt’s Sachsenhausen district. And, make sure to visit the birthplace of one of Germany’s favorite sons by going to the Goethe House.

Germany tours from Frankfurt normally feature a trip to the spa town of Baden-Baden. This tour usually winds its way back to Frankfurt with a drive through the famous Schwarzwald or Black Forest—the eerie, dense woods that provide the setting for some of the most popular brothers Grimm tales.

Germany is an ideal gateway to Central Europe. There are many variants for Germany-Austria tours but the most popular ones originate from Munich and feature stops in Salzburg and Vienna. The rest of Central Europe is also up for grabs with tours of Germany—from Frankfurt or Berlin to Munich—extending all the way to Prague, Budapest, and Vienna.